A/n : Ahhhhh thank you so much for the support (if there is haha) 3 But yeah, and thanks for waiting, guys, here is the final chapter... probably :D I tried my best to write some angst-y stuff in this chapter but I guess I couldn't squeeze anything out this time. So sorry, guys.

The examinations were finally over, and Kuroko forgot the last time he had an actual conversation with Kagami.

"Kagami-kun," Kuroko finally mustered the courage to talk to him. "Are you... still thinking about Tanaka-san?"

It was the day before the examinations and Kuroko knew he should not ask Kagami on that day, since he knew his answer would affect him later on and even cause him to lose focus.

"Yeah, why?" He said it like it wasn't a big deal and Kuroko felt an urge to punch him and himself in the face.

"I see... It's nothing. But I was just wondering, the examinations are coming up, so maybe, maybe you should not talk to her that much..." Kuroko's voice trailed off.

"It's going to be fine, Kuroko! I studied a lot this time, so you don't need to worry about it." Kuroko could only feel more worried. He expected Kagami to laugh at his worried face and tell him that he really did study a lot this time and would actually reduce the time that he spends talking to Tsuruko, but just looking at Kagami's face told him : Nope. I'm not gonna do that.

There was basketball practice that day so Kuroko disappeared first to the canteen to leave Kagami moping around in his seat, clearly regretting that he had not studied hard enough.

When Kuroko came back to class with two chocolate bread in hand, he found Kagami sleeping with his head buried in his arms, snoring softly. He walked over silently and placed both chocolate bread on his table before taking his bag and jogging down to the gymnasium where practice was going to start.

During practice, Riko had assigned them teams to have a practice match.

While playing, all kinds of thoughts flew around in Kuroko's head against his will.

He clearly did not study.

He was probably up all night talking to her.

But doesn't she have a boyfriend? Why is he spending so much time with her?

Could it be that the 'boyfriend' thing was just an excuse to reject Kagami? But wouldn't Kagami find out? How come?

How come?

Why?

Help...

Desolation.

"Kuroko!" Izuki had passed the ball to Kuroko who was daydreaming. However, before Kuroko could react, Hyuuga on the other team had stolen the ball and scored, throwing Kuroko's team off balance once more.

"I'm really sorry..." Kuroko mumbled an apology to his teammates.

"Don't think about the examinations too much, they're over already," Hyuuga said. "Let bygones be bygones."

Let bygones be bygones.

Is he able to do that, if he ever loses Kagami?

Disquietude.

Another pass came and Kuroko managed to pass it, but it was almost aimed at the opposing team.

Ah... What am I doing? I should at least... focus during practice. Another friendly match is coming up...

However, no matter how hard he tried to push the thoughts into a dark corner of his mind, he couldn't.

He wasn't strong enough.

Riko blew the whistle and allowed them to have a ten minutes break. "Where's Kagami-kun?" She asked while the boys hydrated themselves.

"He's going to be late today," Kuroko replied, suddenly appearing beside her and nearly giving her a heart attack. "He probably... Stayed up late last night."

Kuroko sat down and gulped down a mouthful of water before he said, "But he'll be coming soon." He was not very sure of that fact, however.

I probably just wanted to comfort and assure myself.

"Okay, guys! Time for the second half!" Riko commanded and everyone got up like zombies who drank too much caffeine.

The second half was rendered worse by Kuroko. He could not concentrate anymore, he was about to fall off the cliff called sanity.

Kuroko could not even handle passes anymore, he either lost the ball or passed to the wrong person. At the next break, Riko called Kuroko over to talk to him privately.

"Kuroko-kun, are you okay? Do you mind telling me what happened between you and Kagami-kun?"

Kuroko could only maintain eye contact for a second or two before he looked away, muttering a soft "Nothing".

No...

Stop.

Don't ask me about him.

The thoughts are going to come flooding back again...

No. No, stop.

When they went back onto the court, Kuroko could hardly walk.

The emotions and thoughts were weighing down on him, even physically.

He felt like slipping into a deep slumber.

And never waking up again.

Still panting, Kuroko forced himself to engulf himself in the game, so that he could at least keep his mind off of Kagami for a while.

At least, before he comes to practice.

However, as the game progresses, he found himself unable to escape from the fact that he was all alone, in a room full of people.

Without Kagami, he was like an empty vessel floating along the vicious waves of loneliness, trying his best to reach the shore.

He wanted Kagami.

He wanted him to talk to him about basketball again. He wanted him to comment on him about dozing off in class and not getting caught because of his "annoying misdirection". He wanted to play basketball with him again at the same old worn out court and then go to Maji Burger to eat dinner together.

He wanted the old Kagami. He missed him.

So much.

But...

Hollow.

"Woah!" Izuki barely managed to catch Kuroko's sudden ignite pass, almost losing the ball due to the force. After he scored, his team went back to defend except Kuroko, who did not budge from his spot, his hand which had made the ignite pass was trembling.

"Hey, Kuroko, defend!" Riko shouted but then kept quiet almost immediately after that.

The match came to a standstill.

Everyone knew something was wrong, right from the start, in fact.

"Ku... Kuroko...?" Kiyoshi went closer. "What's wr-"

One. Two. Three. Tears.

They came flowing out slowly subconsciously as Kuroko frantically tried to wipe his stray tears away.

Ah, they escaped...

Why won't they stop?

"Kuroko, ar-"

"I'm fine!" That was almost a yell.

Upon realizing what he had just did, he looked away and gritted his teeth in frustration.

Please stop.

Just stop coming out... I'm begging you.

Trying not to choke on his tears when he spoke again, he turned around and headed for the door, excusing himself, "I'm sorry, I need some air."

He pushed open the door and started to run.

However, when he opened the door, someone jerked back swiftly at the sudden swing of it but Kuroko did not look up or apologize.

Before he could take a step past him, that same person grabbed his wrist firmly.

"Hey Kuroko, what's wrong?" The familiar voice struck him like a bolt of lightning and his heart pounded against his ribcage.

He did not look up to meet his scarlet eyes as he commanded - nothing more than a harsh whisper - rigidly, "Let go."

Of course, Kagami did not oblige and just tightened his grip.

Kuroko tried to break free but to no avail.

He had had enough.

Anger.

He snapped, looking straight into his eyes, "I said. Let. Go."

Kagami wanted to protest, to shake him to see what was wrong, but one look at his face which was - it was pretty obvious - a tad stained with tears told him that he should just obey.

Taken aback, he let go of him, setting him free.

Riko and the others came tumbling over to the entrance but none of them took a step out as they watched in silence at Kuroko running off.

Kagami was dumbfounded, "Coach, what ha-"

He barely had the chance to finish his sentence when Riko interrupted, "Go chase him, Kagami-kun! Hurry, before it's too late!"

"Hah?! What are you talking about?"

But Kagami knew what she was talking about and the question only sounded hollow.

"Just!"

The boys behind her nodded in agreement.

He knew he could not ask any further and whipped around.

Kuroko did not know where he wanted to run to or where he was going to run to, but he just ran.

Anywhere, as long as he is running.

The wrist which Kagami had grabbed onto earlier was burning up and Kuroko felt like clawing at it.

Rushing past a few students every now and then, Kuroko hung his head low, unwilling to let anyone see his face.

After a while, he could hear heavy footsteps behind him, hitting the floor faster than his.

He was almost out of breath.

However, he did not want to stop. He did not want to get caught up in those disgusting thoughts and emotions of his again. He knew that if he were to stop right there and then, he would lose.

Kagami-kun, why did you come after me?

You shouldn't have.

No... that's not what I meant.

Thank you for coming after me.

Thanks…

Assuagement.

The footsteps were getting louder and louder.

Almost there…

He was about to turn the corner and sprint up the stairs when Kagami caught up and halted him.

Kagami had grabbed the same wrist and Kuroko felt like biting his hand.

"Oi, stop running," Kagami said breathlessly.

Their pants reverberated through the empty flights of stairs, filling their ears.

"Wha- Are yo-" Kagami tried to squeeze out the appropriate question between pants but he just could not. The way Kuroko looked at him earlier, the way he stared deep into his soul terrorized him.

Kuroko did not look at Kagami, straining his neck a little.

After Kuroko caught his breath, he said, "Please let go of me."

Kagami was shocked that that was the first thing to come out of his mouth.

"No, I refuse."

"… Why?"

Kagami hesitated, unable to look for an answer.

"I-I don't know… I just can't bring myself to."

After he had said that, then he knew why.

He knew that if he were to let go now, everything would disintegrate and disappear without a trace.

Everything.

"I won't run anymore, so please let go of me," Kuroko repeated.

Kagami then willingly let go and Kuroko did not budge.

"Kuroko," Kagami took a step up. "What happened?"

Kuroko clenched his fist, swallowing the second round of tears back.

"Kuroko, what ha-" He repeated.

"You jolly well know what happened!" Kuroko suddenly yelled. Kagami let out an "eh" from the sudden shriek.

It was the first time he had seen Kuroko lose his cool, after the match against Kirisaki Daichi.

He had never wanted to see such an expression on his face.

Kuroko looked away and asked him, now a soft whisper, "You didn't study, did you?"

Kagami flinched a little and replied, "I-I did, I really did." He then realized the desperation in his voice had given him away.

"You were up all night talking to Tanaka-san, weren't you?" Kuroko wanted to slap himself so hard. He did not want to let Kagami know that he was actually this possessive of him.

Now he would just seem like a really jealous girlfriend in front of Kagami.

"Tsuruko-chan has nothing to d-" Kagami stopped mid-sentence.

Tsuruko-chan.

Arghh! What did I just say?! Kagami screamed at himself.

That was the last thing Kuroko had wanted to hear and he knew that. How he wished he could turn back time.

He looked at Kuroko, expecting to see his expression twitch a little.

Kuroko's expression did not change but the pain in his eyes was visible and Kagami felt like hanging himself.

Kagami still thought of Kuroko as a really precious friend and he does not want to lose him in any possible way.

"Then why?" Kuroko asked, as if he had read his mind.

Kagami wanted to take a step back but suddenly remembered that he couldn't.

He mustn't, in fact.

Kagami just kept quiet.

"You still love her…" Kuroko said to no one in particular, tears starting to well up in his aqua blue eyes.

"Kuroko, please don't be like this…" Kagami felt completely out of character and there was discomfort rising in him.

"How can I not be like this… When, when everything is…" Kuroko tried to yell but his energy got drained away as if on cue.

"Kur-"

"Do you know how long it has been?"

Kagami dare not say anything back.

"It's only been about two weeks… But to me, it felt like two years!" Kuroko paused to wipe his tears which had fallen. "Everyday, I see you talking to her on the phone… Sometimes, when I walk past Maji Burger, I even see you playing basketball with her…

"And I thought you said you had no time!"

"I can ex-"

"You can't!" Kuroko's words hit him like a hammer.

Right on the spot.

Kuroko's tears were streaming down now, and onto the concrete floor.

"I… I missed you," it was just a breath and Kuroko tried to push back another round of salty tidal waves that came attacking once more.

Kagami instinctively backed away a little and could feel his heart ache, literally.

Man, I'm terrible.

What the heck was I even doing for the past two weeks? It felt so… Empty and pointless.

"Kuroko, I…" He wanted to apologize so badly but he knew that a mere apology would never suffice.

Kuroko turned around and started to walk up, which was about to become a jog, he didn't want to hear it.

Kagami grabbed him on instinct. He did not want to let go of him anymore.

However, he underestimated his strength and accidentally pulled too hard. Kuroko missed a step and began falling… Falling into Kagami's arms.

"Ah, s-sorry, Kuroko! Are you okay?" Kagami held him tightly even though he is feather light.

Kuroko did not say anything and he did not try to squirm out of his arms.

"I'm tired, Kagami-kun…" He muttered just loud enough for him to hear. "I didn't sleep well for the past two weeks… I was… So frustrated." Kuroko choked on his tears as they escaped.

His tears were coming non-stop now, since he had no more strength left.

He had used up all his strength not just from running, but from running away from his true feelings, his tears, his thoughts that were clearly pulling him down.

He was tired.

Tired from all the neglecting and ignoring of his feelings.

He was sick of it. He was exhausted. He needed a rest, a peace of mind.

The only person that could grant his wish was Kagami.

He only wanted Kagami to…

Kagami slowly turned him around to face him and looked straight into his half-closed eyes that were looking down, "Kuroko, listen to me..."

Kuroko pushed him away, but Kagami stood firm this time.

"Kuroko!"

He pushed harder.

"Ku- Listen to me! Stop running away!" Kagami held him tight.

Upon hearing those words, he stopped struggling and obliged, but still keeping his eyes low.

"Look at me," Kagami told him, bending lower now, trying to meet his sorrowful eyes. "Listen..."

"I don't want to hea-"

"I said stop running away!" Kagami tightened his grip and Kuroko could feel more tears welling up again, probably from the pain as well.

"Running away... from what?" Kuroko said.

Kagami looked at him, keeping quiet for a while before replying, "You know what, don't you? ... Your feelings."

Pin-drop silence followed.

Silence is consent.

Kagami then said, breaking the stiff silence, "Those feelings of yours, I a-"

Kuroko stopped him mid-sentence by planting a small kiss on his lips.

Kagami's eyes widened, looking at Kuroko's pale tear-stricken face.

Kuroko pulled away and licked his lips.

Mm... Chocolate... He subconsciously thought to himself.

A shocked Kagami blushed and looked away, still recovering from what had just happened.

"Kuroko..." He mumbled.

Why? He wanted to ask.

"So, what were you saying about my feelings?" To Kuroko, it was as if nothing had happened. He had calmed down a lot by now and could speak normally.

I only wanted Kagami-kun to apologize with all his heart.

Ahh… Now that I think about it, I'm pretty selfish.

Sorry, Kagami-kun.

Sorry.

The redhead was more shocked now upon realizing that Kuroko thought that the kiss was nothing more than just a kiss.

But that was his first kiss!

Well, maybe Kuroko thought the kiss was something special too, but he did not show it, like how he is usually like.

Hopefully, that was the case, Kagami thought.

He wasn't sure whether the same goes for Kuroko, but he was absolutely sure Kuroko had no kissing experience.

"A-About your feelings… I… I know them very well… But hey, that's not the point here!" Kagami reverted back to the main topic. "Look, I'm really really sorry I neglected you because of Tanaka-san. I… I couldn't control my own feelings for her, so I… I screwed up, okay?" Kagami was stuttering and fidgeting around.

"I'm sorry… I'm never good at expressing myself…" Kagami looked down at his feet shyly, absent-mindedly scratching the back of his head.

Kuroko did not reply, and just looked at Kagami, which was a clear signal that told him that it was okay to continue.

"Is there anything I can do to make up for it?" Kagami asked, this time making firm eye contact and Kuroko could sense the sincerity from his scarlet eyes. "I-I would do anything!"

"Anything?" Kuroko asked.

"Anything," Kagami nodded in return.

"… Actions speak louder than words," was all Kuroko said while a small smile could not help but pull at the corners of his lips.

Kagami did not ask what kind of actions Kuroko wanted him to carry out and just executed the first thing that came to his mind straight away on the spot. Kuroko did not tell him what to do either, since they knew what each other wanted.

Kagami pulled Kuroko's small frame closer to him by the waist and kissed him on the lips, slightly harder than the first one they exchanged.

They pulled away for a second before going back for another. This time, it was more passionate, full of love, and lasted longer.

The sweetness of chocolate filled Kuroko's mouth, making him smile.

When they pulled away, Kagami was tomato red and his hands were by his side now, pinching and poking at his pants playfully and nervously.

"You're… Not such a good kisser," Kuroko commented.

Kagami went, "Ah?! I could say the same to you!"

"Your lips were trembling and I could barely kiss it properly." Before Kagami could retaliate while his face grew redder, Kuroko continued, "and you were hesitating a lot too."

"Wha- I-I'm just shy, okay?! I-I've never kissed a guy before!"

Kuroko chuckled and Kagami heard an angel singing: daintily, delicately, holy.

It was Kagami's first time hearing Kuroko laughing.

Argh, he's so sweet and precious… Kagami buried his head in his hands.

"Anyway, I'll talk to Tanaka-san about this so…" Kagami fished out his cellphone and called Tsuruko but Kuroko told him that it was fine.

Kagami waved it off and insisted.

Kagami told Tsuruko that he was sorry he would not play basketball with her anymore and that he had found "someone precious" and that he was sorry - again - if he had been an annoying prick to her; always clinging to her.

Tsuruko was not angry at him at all, to say the least. Moreover, she was very supportive of Kagami and his "precious someone", "Ohh, it's alright! I don't mind at all. Now go spend some time with your 'precious someone', haha!"

Kagami smiled and thanked her for being understanding before hanging up.

"Baka. You shouldn't have done that," Kuroko said.

"Eh?! It's my fault now?!"

Kuroko smiled, sighing, and hugged Kagami gently, like a little lamb clinging to its mother, "Thank you."

Kagami blushed unknowingly and held him closer, feeling the warmth he thought he would lose wrap itself around him.

As they walked back, Kagami fumbled with his cellphone.

"What's the matter, Kagami-kun?"

"Oh, nothing much. I'm just deleting some photos."

"Photos of you and Tanaka-san?"

"Of course. It'll be unfaithful if I don't, right?" Kagami patted Kuroko's head, grinning.

Kuroko smiled - he forgotten the last time he had smiled so much in one day - and said teasingly, "Bakagami."